President Ahmed al-Sharaa’s office urged all parties to exercise restraint as violence near Suweida has left more than 700 people dead since Sunday.

Local residents have accused government forces of killing Druze civilians and carrying out extrajudicial executions. In response, Israel has targeted Syrian forces in the area in an effort to force their withdrawal. Meanwhile, the U.S. ambassador to Turkey reported that Israel and Syria had reached a ceasefire agreement, supported by neighboring Turkey and Jordan, though neither government has officially confirmed the deal.

Israeli officials said they would permit limited deployment of Syrian Internal Security Forces into Suweida for 48 hours to help protect Druze civilians amid the unrest. The Druze community in Suweida — a religious minority with roots in Shia Islam — continues to distrust Syria’s current jihadist-led government.

According to reports from the BBC and the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, the violence has spread across Syria, with 718 deaths recorded since the escalation began. UN Human Rights Chief Volker Türk warned of credible reports of widespread abuses, including summary executions by government security forces, armed Druze factions, and Bedouin groups. He called for accountability and an immediate end to the bloodshed.

President Sharaa pledged to hold perpetrators accountable and said protecting the Druze community was a priority, blaming outlawed groups that have refused dialogue for months for fueling the violence. The situation remains highly volatile, as international actors continue efforts to mediate peace and prevent further escalation. (BBC)